After months of speculation and a search that spanned the entire offseason, the New England Patriots have finally landed the kind of weapon they’ve long been missing — a proven, high-impact wide receiver. The team signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year contract worth up to $69 million, and head coach Mike Vrabel believes they’re getting much more than just stats in the box score.
Diggs, 31, may not be the same All-Pro who put up staggering numbers with Josh Allen in Buffalo, but make no mistake — his presence in Foxborough signals a clear message: the Patriots are serious about surrounding rookie quarterback Drake Maye with the right kind of talent.
Why Diggs? Vrabel Breaks It Down
Speaking on the “Green Light” podcast with former Patriots edge rusher Chris Long, Vrabel gave a candid breakdown of what made Diggs the right fit — not just on the field, but in the locker room.
“Yeah, just trying to make sure we’re supporting Drake and supporting the football team,” Vrabel said. “And again, this is a highly competitive, confident receiver that’s produced throughout his career in multiple ways — play style.”
Vrabel didn’t hold back his admiration for Diggs’ all-around game, emphasizing the physicality, craft, and experience that the wideout brings to the table.
“He’s got a play strength to him that you see — he can play physical, you know, route craft … good at the catch point, has been good in the red zone. There’s a play style to him that I’ve always appreciated, and that we want to continue to enhance and make sure that he’s doing things to help us.”
For a Patriots team transitioning into a new era — with Vrabel in his first year as head coach and a young quarterback at the helm — that kind of consistency and professionalism matters.
Diggs’ 2024 Numbers Prove He’s Still Got It
Though a torn ACL prematurely ended his season with the Houston Texans last October, Diggs was on a tear before the injury. In just eight games, he recorded 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns. At the time of his injury, he ranked seventh in the NFL in total receptions and was second on the Texans in receiving yards.
Projected across a full 17-game season, Diggs was on pace to finish with 100 receptions, 1,054 yards, and six touchdowns — numbers that would still rank him among the NFL’s most productive receivers. Vrabel clearly sees that, even post-injury, there’s gas left in the tank.